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VC Steve West addresses UWE Bristol students and staff before Article 50 triggered

VC Steve West addresses UWE Bristol students and staff before Article 50 triggered

Issue date: 28 March 2017

UWE Bristol Vice-Chancellor, Steve West, has written to UWE Bristol students and staff ahead of Article 50 being triggered:

“As you will be aware the prime minister is likely to trigger Article 50 – the formal process for the UK to leave the European Union - on Wednesday. I am very conscious that for staff and students from the EU the next couple of years may be unsettling. I would like to start by stating again that all staff and students are welcome and that we are one community all supporting the University's ambition and strategy.

“We are a rich and diverse community and will continue to celebrate this and embrace the talent we have across all parts of the University. Indeed, I am very proud that our EU student undergraduate and postgraduate applications are currently up by 5% against a sector decline of 6%, reflecting that this is a welcoming and successful University and city.

“The world is a very small place and there is much more that unites us than divides us. We must support each other to work though the uncertainty and ensure that we focus on our future. Over the coming weeks and months we will continue to engage with you as the implications of Article 50 become clearer.

“The vote to leave the European Union has understandably resulted in many questions from university staff and students and significant interest about the possible ramifications for the higher education sector. Many of the questions about the implications of Brexit for higher education are difficult to answer as they will depend on the outcome of the negotiations and what kind of relationship the UK agrees with the EU.

“The University is working with Universities UK (UUK) to seek clarity and influence the government on the key issues for universities. Please be assured I am working hard with colleagues at UUK to secure a positive outcome for our staff and students.”

Universities UK (UUK) website contains a Brexit FAQs web page which addresses many of the main questions relevant to university staff and students.